Four male athletes elected unopposed to IOA merit seats

Gagan Narang, Vijender Singh and Yogeshwar Dutt were elected unopposed as Sportspersons of Merit in the Indian Olympic Association, along with former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta.

Eight male candidates withdrew, leaving four candidates for the four available seats.

The four will join the IOA General Assembly, where they can vote and stand in the association’s December 5 Executive Council elections.

Six women are contesting four merit seats, including incumbent IOA president P.T. Usha and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal.

Their vote will take place virtually on November 9.

One male and one female merit-seat holder will join the Executive Council, which helps lead the association.

A former sports administrator alleged some candidates withdrew under pressure from the Sports Ministry, but a ministry source denied any government role in the elections.